Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas)
White Whale Family (Monodontidae)
Beluga whale is a white to whitish gray toothed whale, reaching 20 feet long and 2300 pounds. It has a small blunt head with a short beak and an extremely bulbous and malleable protuberance on its forehead called a melon. It can change the shape of its head by blowing air around its sinuses. Unlike many whales, its vertebrae in the neck are not fused together, allowing it to turn its head laterally. The body is rounded, thick, and muscular. Instead of a dorsal fin, it has a dorsal ridge. The flippers are short and broad, almost square-shaped. The tail fin (fluke) is broad with a deep central notch. Males are larger than females. The female can start to reproduce around age 5 and has a calf every 2-3 years. The calves are usually dark gray or brown. Life span can be 50 years. Food consists mainly of various fish, squid, octopus, crab, shrimp, and worms. Found in the Arctic and sub-Arctic, particularly along the coasts of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Russia. During the summer, it is found around bays, estuaries, and other shallow inlets. As winter approaches they move to the edge of the advancing icepack. Some can stay under the icepack and find air pockets or areas of open water in the vast frozen water. Has high-pitched squeaks, squeals, clucks, and whistles. Highly social, living in pods, especially in the summer. Unlike most whales, it is capable of swimming backwards. Can be submerged for up to 20 minutes and dive 2000 ft. Also known as white whale, beluga, and sea canary.
Listed as endangered federally (Cook Inlet population in Alaska) and in CAN.
Copyright Brett Miley
